Election issues for South Australia

KEY ELECTION ISSUES FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

SUBMARINES

Adelaide has been nominated as the location for the Navy's future frigates and will build at least one, and possibly more, of the offshore patrol boats, bringing billions of dollars in defence spending to South Australia and helping avoid the so-called valley of death when skills and jobs would have been lost. But if the state is to have a sustained future as a centre for shipbuilding, maintain its defence industry workforce and grow jobs across the sector, it also needs to be the location for construction of the next fleet of submarines. The issue may be decided before the election, but if not, it could have a big impact for Liberal MPs, especially Matt Williams, in SA's most marginal seat of Hindmarsh, and Industry Minister Christopher Pyne in Sturt.

JOBS

The big issue for South Australia heading into this election can be summed up in three words - jobs, jobs and jobs. SA has the country's highest unemployment rate and key sectors including the car industry, mining and general manufacturing are shedding thousands of workers. South Australian voters, particularly those in Adelaide's north and the regions, will be looking to both parties for policies and initiatives to simulate jobs growth on a massive scale.

ROADS and RAILS

South Australia will be looking for big promises from both parties to help fund major road and rail projects for Adelaide and South Australia. More funding for Adelaide's north-south road corridor, help with the major expansion of Adelaide's tram network and assistance with other road and rail projects such as the Gawler train line and Strzelecki track in the far northeast would put both Labor or the Liberals in the fast lane to secure key SA seats.

HEALTH

With SA recently leading the fight against federal budget cuts to public hospitals, the health sector will also be a key focus for the state heading into the election campaign. If funding issues haven't been sorted out in the budget, then Labor may propose health initiatives in SA that offer some pain relief to local voters. Promises from both the major parties to foster SA's growing medical research industry, especially cancer treatment and research, could also be a factor.